IMG Academy Headlines

IMG Academy U18s knock off Real So Cal 3-2 at Development Academy Playoffs

The IMG Academy U18 team has a chance to earn a berth in the National Championship Finals Week next month with a win over Seattle Sounders FC on Thursday

The IMG Academy U18 team is competing this week at the 2013 Development Academy Playoffs in Dallas, Texas, being held June 24-28. Last night, the IMG U18 Academy Team notched a big win, besting Real So Cal (San Diego, Calif.), 3-2. IMG Academy secured the victory after Gabriel Nunez blasted a direct kick from 25-yards out with less than three minutes remaining to break the stalemate.

After finishing with a 1-1 tie against Players Development Academy out of New Jersey on Monday, IMG Academy needed a win to stay alive for a berth in Finals Week in July. Due to an injury, the team is without one of their top players, Pablo Aguilar (committed to the University of Virginia). However, Aguilar's substitute Victor Rojas stepped up in his place, and scored a goal in the early going to put the team up 1-0 . However, Real So Cal answered with a goal of their own to tie. The game was tied again shortly after half and remained that way until Nunez’s go-ahead goal to end it.

Today, the team has a day of rest and relaxation before facing off against Seattle Sounders FC tomorrow morning at 10:00 am EST/9:00 am CST. IMG Academy is in control of their own destiny, and with a victory on Thursday, will earn a berth in the National Championship Finals Week in Houston, July 14-20.